Monumental change: Take a round of DHA’s roundabouts in Karachi

Administrator speaks to The Express Tribune about the significance of four new monuments

KARACHI: Ever wondered what the circular monument painted in green and white at Defence Morr means? Or why three D-shaped structures stand tall near the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) head office?

DHA administrator Brigadier Zubair Ahmed discusses the significance and concept behind the monuments with The Express Tribune.

DHA has constructed four monuments on different roundabouts, each at a cost of Rs1.5 to Rs2 million. With a fifth one in the planning, the monuments symbolise happiness, unity, and patriotism.

Made of steel frame, alloys, and metals, the monuments are prepared on an order of two months, said Ahmed. "The monuments are elevated to protect them from motorcycle and car accidents."

The purpose of building these monuments was to uplift the face of DHA, explained the administrator sitting in his clean and spotless office.



Happiness Monument

Located near McDonalds in Phase I, three white-titled structures on a roundabout form the 'Happiness Monument'. According to the administrator, the 'D' shaped monument depicts the smiley emoticon, which is made using capital 'D' [:D]. The structure seeks to spread happiness, he added.

The monument comprise of three Ds to make it appear three-dimensional. "Every living being has three angles. [We should] be happy from all angles," he added.

"No matter from where you are, and where you belong, you should always stay happy," remarked Ahmed.

DNA monument

The twisted 'DNA monument', which is shaped like a DNA molecule, lies behind the Happiness Monument and near DHA head office in Phase I.

The idea behind this monument is to emphasise originality, and people should be aware of that, said Ahmed. 'Know your origin. Know yourself' is the message it promotes, he added.



Solidarity Monument

On Korangi Road, stands the 'Solidarity Monument' in the shape of a whirl. Speaking about the roundabout, Ahmed said, "It's a circle. [Complete] 360 degrees. It means that a person should be Pakistani a full 360°. A person should be 100% Pakistani, loyal and affectionate."

The monument also has five point structures in white behind the circle. These represent the four provinces of Pakistan while the fifth one depicts Azad Kashmir.

The Unity monument

Inaugurated on first of Ramazan, the 'Unity Monument' outside Ayesha Masjid on Khayaban-e-Ittehad, Creek Avenue junction, has the kalma inscribed on it.

"The unity monument represents our religion, and it unites everyone," pointed out the administrator. "See… it has two vertical and broad parts. Two vertical parts, extreme right and extreme left. When one looks at it from one end, he can see Allah written while from the other end you can see Mohammad (pbuh)."

Near the monument is the Pakistan flag erected on a flagpole, while there are jasmines planted around the roundabout.

Future plans

The authorities are now planning a fifth monument which would be called the 'Peace Monument'.

Speaking about the idea behind the new monument, Ahmed said "This country needs more peace. It will give a strong message of tolerance to the community."

Administrator also remarked that DHA will not build statues as monuments because they do not want to be involved in any controversy. The architect of two of the monuments, Solidary and Unity Monument, Atif Osmani said that he was not permitted by his client to talk to the media.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2016.